This year marks the fourteenth anniversary of this prestigious prize which has highlighted over 20,000 moving stories of ordinary people and their extraordinary achievements across the country since 2005.

The award winners are unsung heroes who have touched our hearts and changed our lives.

And nominations are now open for 2018 so you can honour someone in your local community.

News Corp Australia, in conjunction with partners Seven News and Australia Post, is urging readers to nominate people in their community for a 2018 Pride of Australia Award.

This year, the stories of our nominees will unfold through the pages of News Corp Australia’s capital city and community newspapers and will also be broadcast on Seven News each week. The campaign will culminate with the national Editor’s Choice Award winners announced live on Sunrise on December 14.

Inspired by the Liberty Medal established by The New York Post in the wake of the September 11 attacks, the Pride of Australia Awards support the notion that there is no greater measure of a society’s strength than its ability to recognise, learn from and reward its true heroes.

• Melodie Mulder who, in 2017, underwent serious and complicated surgery to remove a healthy and functioning kidney in order to save the life of a work colleague. Not a partner, not a family member, not a best friend. A work colleague. Needless to say, there now exists a bond beyond friendship.

• Ren Pedersen, who experienced the anguish of losing a child when his nine-year-old daughter Amy died from an aggressive form of brain cancer. Since her tragic death in 2009, Mr Pedersen has made it his mission to find a cure for the horrific disease that stole his energetic little girl. And he’s winning the fight.

• Hutch Bevacqua, who was just five years old when he saved the life of his cherished mum who was in the throes of an anaphylactic reaction and on the phone to Triple 0 when she lost her ability to speak. Picking up the phone, Hutch told the dispatcher the address, opened the front door and at one point ran over to the neighbour’s house to get help.

• Aidan Barry, who deals with many complicated health issues as a result of being born with a major heart condition, diminishing eyesight and a lack of upper limbs. But this hasn’t stopped him from accomplishing his goals, both in the sporting arena and also as an advocate for people with disabilities.

News Corp Australia’s community ambassador Penny Fowler urged Australians to nominate people in their community for a Pride of Australia Award.

“These Australians are helping build a better Australia for us all — they are the bedrock of our local communities. Our readers are constantly inspired by their stories of hope, courage, passion and persistence,” Ms Fowler said.

Craig McPherson, Seven Network Director News and Public Affairs, said: “Seven News is proud to team up with News Corp to shine a light on those who do so much for so little.

Aidan Barry at Thaxted Park Golf Club. Aidan was born with a condition which has meant his arms and legs weren't formed properly, but he still manages to play golf, mentor others and speak publicly about the importance of sport for people with disabilities. Picture: AAP Image/ Morgan SetteSource:News Corp Australia

Recognition is never what they seek but certainly what they deserve. In our clouded world it will be enlightening to bring to mainstream Australia these untold true stories of real people doing extraordinary things in everyday life.”

Nicole Sheffield, Australia Post’s Executive General Manager for Community and Consumer,

said: “Every day at Australia Post we connect Australians with each other, no matter where

they live across our vast country. We look forward to championing those Australians who are

striving to make our communities a better place through their inspiring acts.”

Nominations are open until October 21, with judging set to take place in early November.

Medal ceremonies will be staged in mid-December in each state, and a selection of national Editor’s Choice winners will be revealed live on Sunrise on December 14.